Silly Vegetable Jokes and the Love of God

August 4, 2025

Why did the carrot blush at the farmer’s market? It overheard the potatoes whispering, “You’re absolutely a-peeling!” Why did the pumpkin flirt with the squash at the fall festival? It couldn’t resist saying, “You’re gourd-geous!” Why did the tomato turn red at the vegetable dance? It saw the salad dressing, and fell in love! If you didn’t notice, those vegetable jokes weren’t just groaners, they set the stage for this article about how important it is to be loving when we encounter people who believe differently than we do.

In college, I was in a Bible study where the leader was a passionate evangelist for seeking and saving the lost. Unfortunately, he found out about my Presbyterian background, and immediately deduced that I was lost. I didn’t agree. It got a bit uncomfortable as his frustration grew and, in a moment of intensity, he slammed his fist on the table, clutched his Bible, and declared, “It’s all about love! You must accept the love of God!” His tone and actions suggested judgment rather than the love that he preached, and did not draw me closer to the “loving” God he was telling me I didn’t have in the right way.

I must confess, not long after that I got into an argument (not a discussion), with someone who had questions about Christianity, but didn’t seem very interested in my answers. I don’t remember why I got so upset with the person, I just know that I was a terrible example of I Peter 3:15, “But in your hearts revere Christ as Lord. Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have. But do this with gentleness and respect…”

These examples contrast sharply with the story of Philip and the Ethiopian official as told in Acts 8:26-39. In this story, Philip, guided by the Spirit, approached the official who was reading Isaiah. With gentleness and wisdom, Philip explained the Scriptures, sharing the good news of Jesus. His calm presence and genuine care led the official to embrace faith and request baptism. Philip’s approach radiated the light of God’s love and truth, drawing the man closer to Christ without force or condemnation.

Have you ever encountered someone whose life seems to glow with God’s presence? Not with a literal light, but through their kindness, patience, and unwavering love. My family has, her name was Inez and she embodied that kind of Christian faith for us. When my children were young my wife and I wanted to sing in the choir, but we couldn’t afford the sitter care. Inez volunteered to care for our children, and the love affair that followed lasted until she died, long after we moved on from that church.

One day we told her how much her love for us was a witness to the power of her faith, and how it really impacted us. She surprised us when she said, “When I volunteered to watch your children I was at the lowest point of my life. My husband had died a little over a year before and I wasn’t grieving well. Your family’s friendship and love lifted me out of my grief and filled my life with joy again.

That is the thing with love. When we hold onto it, it diminishes, shrinks, and even vanishes. When we share love with others it grows, blossoms, and can transform our lives. Or course, like all things in this fallen world, love can be fleeting, and turn sour. Love anyway!

Do you think anyone thinks about your life as a source of love, like my friend Inez’ love changed our lives? Remember, the source of our love isn’t our own effort, but God working within us. In John 15:4-5, Jesus says, “Remain in me, as I also remain in you. No branch can bear fruit by itself; it must remain in the vine.” To reflect God’s love, we must stay connected to Him through prayer, Scripture, and serving others. The more we abide in Christ, the more His love naturally shines through us, touching lives in ways we may never fully see.

Who is the best example of a loving Christian you can think of? When was the time in your life you best modeled the love of God for someone else? Are you involved in any activities that could leave a lasting legacy of kindness, compassion, or love for others? Which is more important to you, shining your own light or allowing God’s light to shine through you? Take a moment and talk with someone else what is the difference between these two approaches. (To learn more about Al Earley or read previous articles, see www.lagrangepres.org. You can purchase my book, My Faith Journal, at Amazon.com, a compilation of 366 articles as a daily devotional).